Car-step



(No Model.)

T. B. HOWE.

GAR STEP.

No. 274,197. Patented Mar.20, 1883.

illa'inaascs: Invazwar:

J'lwmas 3.1191200 7m: 1mm

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIcE.

THOM A SB. HOWE, OF SGRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

CAR-STEP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 274,197, dated March 20, 1883,

Application filed January 30, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Thomas B. Hows, of

Scranton, in the county of Laokawanna and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain I looked automatically in raised position.

To this end the invention consists in a novel construction, which I will now proceed to describe.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a front elevation of carsleps provided with my extensible step, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Similar letters of reference in the several figures denote the same parts.

A A represent the ordinary steps of a railway passenger-car.

B represents my supplemental step, the same being secured to side bars, 0 U, which pass up diagonally through slots S in the steps proper, and have turned-down or flanged upper ends, d, which, when the supplemental step is lowered, bear upon one of the steps and serve to sustain the supplemental step in position, as shown in Fig. 2.

Secured to the supplemental step B, and extending upward therefrom, isa spring-rod, E,

formed with a locking-shoulder, e, and twinclined portion, f. When the supplemental step is raised from a lowered position the inclined portion fof the sprin g-rod strikes against the back edge of the step A next above it and causes the rod to bend back ward until the shoulder e is reached, when it springs forward again and projects the said shoulder 0 over onto the step, thus forming asecure connection and maintainingthe supplemental step in elevated position. To lower the step it is only necessary to press back the spring-catch until its shoulder is disengaged, and then the supplemental step will drop of its own weight or bya slight pull upon it.

I have shown but one extensible step, but

I it is obvious that more than one may be employed.

It will. be observed that when the supplemental step is raised it fits neatly under the a es; permanent step and is hardly noticea e.

The utility of my invention will be at once apparent. By lowering the step passengers are enabled to pass off and on the cars with ease, and without having to take a long step between the lowest permanent step and the ground, as ordinarily. Before the train starts the step is raised up, and it automatically locks itself in raised position.

In order to prevent the foot of a passenger from accidentally striking against the'springsteps when the supplemental step is in raised position, I provide the step with which the catch engages with a projecting plate, 1), arranged in front of the catch and high enough to arrest the foot of a passenger, but not so high as to prevent the train-hand from condisengage it, when desired.

To the rear edge of the extensible step I also preferably secure a back plate, 7', for the purpose of preventing the passengers foot from slipping back through between the steps and subjecting him to the liability of a painful accident, as well as to guard against the casual unlocking of the spring-catch.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination, with the permanent car-steps, of the extensible supplemental step, thesupporting side bars, and the automatic locking-catch E, secured to and moving with the movable supplemental step, and having the shoulder adapted to engage with one of the permanent steps, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the permanent steps, of the movable supplemental step and its supporting side bars, and the guard-plate 0, attached to and moving with the supplemental step, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the permanent steps, of the supplemental step, the automatic spring-catch, and a guard on the permanent step for preventing the accidental unlocking of the catch, substantially as described.

THOMAS B. HOWE.

Witnesses A. L. BAKER, HENRY A. KNAPP.

catch and disengaging it in ascending the veniently pressing back the spring-catch to 

